"You know it's reassuring to talk to a wounded warrior that has the same injuries that I have and see their success and see their progress. It's reassuring to me that I can get there and life will be better."

8. Wide tilt down of amputees talking

9. SOUNDBITE (English) B.J. Ganem, Iraq war veteran

"They are doing wonderful. I mean, lot of them, a lot of them are walking perfect. It took a lot of us a long time to get our gait right again and everything like that, and they've really picked up the challenge."

10. Mid of Fucarile and his son

STORYLINE

Wounded veterans and Boston Marathon bombing survivors met Thursday in Boston to share their stories of strength and resilience.

A dozen military veterans who have undergone amputations gathered at a Boston hotel to meet 11 marathon amputees as part of an effort by a Chicago-area nonprofit called Operation Warrior Wishes.

Thursday night, they planned to go together to the New England Patriots' home season opener against the New York Jets.

The founders of Operation Warrior Wishes, Craig Steichen, 55, and his son Matt, 29, went on a quest last year to bring wounded vets to football games at 32 NFL stadiums in 17 weeks.

Craig Steichen said they met their goal, and even picked up a world record in the meantime for game attendance.

But with the Patriots game Thursday, Steichen said, the nonprofit was interested in not only bringing wounded vets, but getting them together with marathon amputees.

Operation Warrior Wishes will be collecting donations on its website between Sept. 12 and Sept. 22.

The donations will be divided between the nonprofit and The One Fund, which benefits marathon victims.